Federal Public Service Commission Announces CSS 2026 Examination Schedule

Federal Public Service Commission Announces CSS 2026 Examination Schedule

The Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) has officially released the comprehensive date sheet for the Central Superior Services (CSS) Competitive Examination 2026 today. Issued from its headquarters at F-5/1, Aga Khan Road, under notification No. F.2/2/2026-CE, the schedule outlines a rigorous 12-day testing window, commencing on February 4th, 2026 , and concluding on February 15th, 2026 .

This annual examination is a cornerstone of civil service recruitment in Pakistan, selecting candidates for prestigious roles within the federal bureaucracy. The release of the date sheet marks a critical milestone for thousands of aspirants across the nation and abroad, who now have a clear timeline to finalize their preparation strategies.

Detailed Examination Schedule: Compulsory Subjects

The first week of the CSS 2026 examination is dedicated to compulsory papers, mandatory for all candidates regardless of their optional specializations.

• February 4, 2026 (Wednesday): The examination series begins with the English Essay paper from 11:00 a.m. to 02:00 p.m.

• February 5, 2026 (Thursday): Candidates will sit for English (Précis and Composition) during the same time slot.

• February 6, 2026 (Friday): The General Knowledge paper-I, focusing on General Science and Ability , will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 01:00 p.m.

• February 7, 2026 (Saturday): General Knowledge paper-II on Current Affairs is scheduled from 11:00 a.m. to 02:00 p.m.

• February 8, 2026 (Sunday): The third General Knowledge paper on Pakistan Affairs will take place.

• February 9, 2026 (Monday): The compulsory segment concludes with either Islamic Studies or the Comparative Study of Major Religions (for Non-Muslims) .
  

Optional Subjects: A Diverse Array of Specializations

Following the compulsory papers, candidates will be tested in their chosen optional subjects over the next six days. The FPSC offers a wide spectrum of disciplines, catering to diverse academic backgrounds.

• February 10, 2026 (Tuesday): Day one of optional subjects features two sessions. The morning session (09:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.) includes Paper-I for Accountancy & Auditing, Computer Science, Economics, International Relations, and Political Science . The afternoon session (02:00 p.m. to 05:00 p.m.) will conduct Paper-II for the same group of subjects.

• February 11, 2026 (Wednesday): A vast array of subjects is scheduled. The morning session includes Anthropology, Arabic, Balochi, Geography, Journalism & Mass Communication, Persian, Psychology, Punjabi, Pushto, Sindhi, Sociology, Agriculture & Forestry, and Botany . The afternoon session covers English Literature, Environmental Sciences, Gender Studies, Urdu Literature, and Zoology .

• February 12, 2026 (Thursday): The focus shifts to law, philosophy, and history. The morning session comprises Constitutional Law, Criminology, International Law, Law, Mercantile Law, Muslim Law & Jurisprudence, and Philosophy . The afternoon session is dedicated to historical studies, including British History, European History, History of Pakistan & India, History of USA, and Islamic History & Culture .

• February 13, 2026 (Friday): Papers for management and social sciences will be held. Business Administration, Governance & Public Policies, Public Administration, and Town Planning & Urban Management are scheduled for the morning. Statistics is the sole subject in the afternoon session.

• February 14, 2026 (Saturday): Science and mathematics subjects take center stage. The morning session includes Applied Mathematics and Paper-I for Chemistry and Physics . The afternoon session will conduct Paper-II for Chemistry and Physics , along with Pure Mathematics .

• February 15, 2026 (Sunday): The CSS 2026 examination series concludes with the Geology paper in the morning session.

Implications for CSS 2026 Aspirants

The publication of the date sheet provides candidates with a definitive framework for the final phase of their preparation. Experts advise aspirants to:

• Cross-verify Subject Codes and Timing: Carefully match their chosen optional subjects with the specified dates and sessions to avoid any confusion.

• Develop a Targeted Revision Plan: Allocate time strategically across compulsory and optional papers based on the examination sequence.

• Practice Time Management: Simulate the actual exam environment by solving past papers within the allotted three-hour time frame for each subject.

• Focus on Health and Well-being: With a demanding 12-day schedule, maintaining physical and mental fitness is paramount for optimal performance.